The Minonk Post 7185 and its ladies Auxiliary will be sponsoring the Voice of Democracy and Patriots pen programs this year.
The theme for the high school essay contest is " Does My Generation have a role in America's future" . Students need to write a 3-5 minute essay on the given theme, then record it onto a tape or CD. Those tapes need to be turned into the VFW before November 1st, a winner will be selected by the judges, their essay will then be judged on the district and department level. In February, the Voice of Democracy weekend is held at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Springfield, where the state of IL winner will be announced. Students should not identify themselves or family in anyway, in their essay.
For the 6th, 7th and 8th grade Jr. High students, their theme is " Does Patriotism Still matter" their essays must be typed, and have between 300-400 words in the essay. These students may not refer to race, disabilities, national origin or identify themselves in anyway within their essay. Their deadline to the VFW is also November 1st, 2010. Their written essays will be judged and winner forwarded to the district chairman. The state winner will also be announced at the VOD weekend in February, 2011.
The VFW ladies are selling raffle tickets on a quilted Patriotic afghan, it is 50x60 inches and ladies have a photo of it to share. The drawing will be at our Christmas party in December, the proceeds will be donated to the ladies Cancer Aid and Research program in honor-memory, of our past President Agnes Nemmers, and all other local families who have been affected by this disease. If you or a family member or friend, are a member of our Minonk ladies auxiliary, and the disease should affect you, there are cancer grants available. If you are interested in more information, contact Judy Reeser, 309-527-4888.
Five Minonk auxiliary ladies, and six auxiliary ladies from Pontiac, traveled to LaSalle on Monday, to visit with veterans at the VA nursing home, and tour their new building. The new addition has rooms for one or two veterans, the rooms are larger, and include a bathroom in their room, rather than share with another room. Their Alzheimers wing is open with 40 residents there. The facility has 5 court yards for the veterans and families to sit outside and visit or just enjoy the nice weather. The ladies all took personal items for the 164 residents, of which there are 9 women. The ladies had the opportunity to visit one on one with several of the residents, we heard some interesting war stories. Residents were in WW2, Korean and Vietnam wars, their youngest veterans were Vietnam vets, they do not have any Golf War or newer war veterans there. The residents enjoy having people come to visit with them, if you have the time, spend it with a veteran, they will love it, and you will be glad you did !!
" THE CARDINAL RULE............OUR VETERANS "